WCS Mesoamerica and the Caribbean
With names such as Limi Tara in Honduras, Balam in Guatemala, and Jaguar in Belize, this feline is a symbol of strength and connection with nature.
Jaguar photographed in La Moskitia, Honduras. Record by the WCS Honduras-Nicaragua team.
The jaguar’s (Panthera onca) habitat spans a wide variety of ecosystems, including forests, savannas, shrublands, grasslands, and wetlands. These habitats provide the jaguar with the necessary resources to survive and maintain its role as a top predator within ecosystems. However, the fragmentation of these habitats and associated threats—such as the expansion of agriculture and illegal cattle ranching—have jeopardized the connectivity of their territories, making it increasingly urgent to restore these ecosystems to ensure the survival of jaguars and other key species.
The jaguar’s range extends from Mexico to Argentina (Belize; Bolivia; Brazil; Colombia; Costa Rica; Ecuador; French Guiana; Guatemala; Guyana; Honduras; Mexico; Nicaragua; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Suriname; Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic) and it is now extinct in El Salvador and Uruguay. Map by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Habitat restoration and jaguar sightings in community concessions in Guatemala
In the “La Colorada-El Molino” Community Concession, located in the Multiple Use Zone (MUZ) of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, species such as the jaguar have been recently recorded through WCS Guatemala’s monitoring program, demonstrating the recovery of key habitats for biodiversity.
Jaguar in the “La Colorada-El Molino” Community Concession. Record by WCS Guatemala.
In this concession, both active and passive restoration practices are implemented, focusing on the regeneration of degraded areas and replanting with key species such as mahogany and sapodilla. These efforts also generate economic benefits for local communities through sustainable use.
Restoration area in La Colorada-El Molino. Photos by WCS Guatemala.
Community monitoring in Mesoamerica
Local communities play a fundamental role in the conservation of the jaguar and its habitat. Community monitoring teams from WCS and its partners in Guatemala (Maya Forest), Belize (Maya Forest Corridor), and Honduras (La Moskitia) conduct periodic patrols in protected areas and buffer zones. Through these activities, they help prevent environmental threats, strengthening the protection and conservation of key ecosystems.
A key tool in this work is the use of camera traps, which have made it possible to monitor jaguar populations, identify high-traffic areas, and collect essential data for designing and evaluating conservation strategies. These cameras also document jaguar behavior—such as nocturnal activity patterns, interactions with other species, and habitat use—and gather information on the presence of key prey species and threats such as illegal ranching and wildlife trafficking.
Wildbook: Artificial intelligence for jaguar conservation
Wildbook for Jaguars is an innovative technological tool that is revolutionizing the way this iconic feline is monitored and protected. The platform uses artificial intelligence (AI) to accurately identify jaguars by analyzing the unique pattern of spots on their fur, much like a fingerprint.
Jaguar in the Maya Forest Corridor of Belize. Record in collaboration with WCS Belize.
Each time a jaguar image is captured through camera traps, it is uploaded to the Wildbook system. The AI compares the image with a global database, identifying the individual and tracking its movements over time and across regions. This capability facilitates population monitoring and helps researchers understand aspects such as territories, migration routes, and possible interactions between jaguars.
1. During mating, the male bites the female’s neck to induce ovulation. This behavior is not related to aggression but to the species’ reproductive biology. Mirador-Río Azul National Park, Guatemala. Record in collaboration with WCS Guatemala, CONAP, FUNDAECO, and CECON.
2. Jaguars rub against trees to gather information about the identity, sex, and reproductive status of other individuals. Mirador-Río Azul National Park, Guatemala. Record in collaboration with WCS Guatemala, CONAP, FUNDAECO, and CECON.
3. Jaguars, like other felines, occasionally eat grass to aid digestion, expel parasites, or relieve stomach discomfort. Mirador-Río Azul National Park, Guatemala. Record in collaboration with WCS Guatemala, CONAP, FUNDAECO, and CECON.